Stocks tumbled as the unrest in Libya—and the cut-off in Libyan oil supplies—sent oil prices soaring and gave skittish investors a reason to sell stocks in a market that had climbed to multi-year highs. Alcoa and JPMorgan fell, while Kraft gained.

Stocks held steep losses into the close as the unrest in Libya sent oil prices soaring and gave skittish investors a reason to sell stocks in a market that had climbed to multi-year highs. Alcoa and Bank of America fell, hwile Kraft rose.